Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of moving around villages in northern Nigeria to buy voters’ cards and manipulate elections.
He made the allegation on Wednesday in Sokoto during the flag-off of the ADC presidential campaign. He urged Nigerians to turn out in large numbers, vote and protect their votes.
Atiku and his team arrived in Sokoto at about 1pm but did not get to the party’s state secretariat, where the rally was held, until around 4:30pm because of the large crowd that came to welcome them.
He warned that low voter turnout could allow those allegedly buying voters’ cards to manipulate the process and make it appear that the opposition had fewer supporters in the North.
“Let us come out and vote as if it were Judgment Day. Come out in large numbers, protect your votes and escort them until they are secured.”
“If you fail to turn out in large numbers, people will go from village to village buying voters’ cards to create the impression that we do not have as many supporters as those in the South. Go out and cast your vote, and protect it,” he said.
Atiku explained that Sokoto was chosen for the campaign launch because of its historical and religious importance, describing it as a centre of peace and peaceful coexistence.
He also promised that an ADC government would address insecurity, reopen land borders and make Hajj and Christian pilgrimages more affordable. He condoled with families of victims of attacks across the country.
He urged Nigerians to vote for the ADC with their families, describing voting as their civic and paramount responsibility.
Earlier, the state campaign coordinator, Senator Ibrahim Lamido, called Sokoto a one-party state and claimed the ADC enjoyed overwhelming support there. He urged residents to vote for all the party’s candidates.
